Robert Neill is Farmers Weekly
Farmer of the Year 2017

The thirteenth annual Farmers Weekly Awards took
place at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane,
London with fifteen awards, for different categories, presented to the
best farmers in the country.

Scottish
farmer Robert
Neill from Upper
Nisbet Farm in Roxburghshire has
received the top trophy for overall Farmer of the Year 2017 as
well as winning Mixed Farmer of the Year.

Robert’s forensic attention to detail means he has a precise knowledge
of the cost of each kilo of beef and grain produced on his land
near the River Tweed. He says;
“every day is an open day” at the
farm in order to do his bit to promote British agriculture.

Upper Nisbet Farm is a shining example of what can be achieved
with mixed farming, where cattle and cropping are a perfect complement
for one another. Robert’s continual drive for improvement wowed
the judges and there is no aspect of his business that he is afraid
to put on display to the general public.

Robert Neill makes no claim to be the most profitable farmer of
our finalists, but what he has done is what every responsible farmer
strives to do, make the most of what they have got to set up a
business that will make a profit in most years while leaving the
land in better heart than last year.

As every farmer knows, that
work is never done, and what sets Robert apart is his dedication
to raising the standard of farming, not just for himself, but in
his community.

Karl Schneider, Farmers
Weekly Editorial said:
“He’s a great example
of how caring for the environment and good business can go hand-in-hand
- and he’s doing a fantastic job in promoting farming to the wider
community. In summary, a wonderful ambassador for all that is great
about British Farming.”

The Mixed Farmer of the Year was sponsored by Bridgestone. The
Overall Farmer of the Year was sponsored by McDonalds.

Writer, broadcaster, actor, and former Conservative Member of
Parliament. Gyles Brandreth presented the awards in front of more
than 1000 guests at the Grosvenor House – AJW Marriott Hotel on
London’s Park Lane.